Cookies

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue.

School of Government & International Affairs

Politics (Year Abroad) L202

This is a four-year degree programme which offers candidates the opportunity to spend one year (their third) studying politics abroad at one of our partner universities in Europe or outside the EU.  The year abroad is arranged under the ERASMUS/SOCRATES programme of the European Commission and has exchange agreements with non-EU universities.

The School of Government and International Affairs at Durham currently has agreements with the following institutions:

  • University of Aix-en-Provence, France
  • Sciences Po - Paris, France
  • University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • University of Oslo, Norway
  • Uppsala University, Sweden
  • LUISS in Rome, Italy
  • University of Granada, Spain
  • University of Salamanca, Spain
  • University of Konstanz, Germany
  • University of Heidelberg, Germany
  • Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
  • University of California, USA
  • Boston College, USA
  • University of British Columbia, Canada
  • University of Hong Kong, China
  • National University of Singapore

Any prospective UCAS candidates, candidates who have already been offered a place to study Single Honours Politics may wish to consider the Politics (Year Abroad) degree course.

Applying or Transferring to Politics (Year Abroad)

Applications are initially made through UCAS in the usual way.

First-year Single Honours Politics students may transfer to the Politics (Year Abroad ) degree programme after initial consultation with the ERASMUS/Exchange Co-ordinator either at the Michaelmas term, or at the end of the first year. For students not registered for Single Honours Politics, the transfer procedure takes place at the end of year one, however, this is subject to available quota.

Language Requirements :The language of instruction for ERASMUS students is English in Amsterdam, Oslo, Uppsala, Krakow and Konstanz (the 'English route') and French, Italian and Spanish respectively in Aix-Marseille, Sciences Po, LUISS, Granada and Salamanca (the 'non-English' route).  Students intending to pursue the non-English route must successfully complete, in either their first or second year, a Core Level 1 module in the appropriate language, offered by the School of Modern European Languages.  Failure to fulfil this requirement will mean that the student will have to switch to the English route or else apply to transfer to the Single Honours Politics degree.

Students following the non-English route must meet the following pre-requisites.

French: (for those choosing Aix Marseille or Montpellier  as their third-year destination):
Grade A in French at A Level (or equivalent)

Italian: (for those choosing LUISS as their third-year destination):
Grade A in any language at A Level (or equivalent)

Spanish: (for those choosing Salamanca or Granada as their third-year destination):

Grade A in any language at A Level or Grade B or above in Spanish at GCSE (or equivalent)

These requirements are established by the School of Modern European Languages, to whom inquiries about equivalent qualifications should be directed.

Course Content and Assessment

Students in the Politics (Year Abroad) degree have the same options as Single Honours Politics students for their three years in Durham, except for the requirement to take a language module in the first or second year of the non-English route for European exchanges.  There are no language requirements for students wishing to study in non-EU countries.

In the third year students are expected to register for the appropriate number of courses or modules, attend all classes and lectures, and take the relevant examinations.  Students will be assessed in the same manner as the home students of that institution.

It is important that students demonstrate they have worked, but they will not be penalised for difficulties relating to language requirements in the non-English route of the Erasmus exchange.  The year abroad is considered part of the student's final degree, and the Board of Examiners may raise or lower the final degree class if marks from the student's year abroad are significantly different from the Durham marks.

Fees :There are reduced tuition fees for the year spend abroad.  Students obtaining places on the Politics (Year Abroad) degree will be given four-year funding by their LEA.

Where there are significant discrepancies in the cost of living, the University is able to pay, on a monthly basis, an equalization payment.  The amount will vary from year to year.

Students wishing to take this option should however bear in mind that living abroad is usually more expensive than living in your home country.

Accommodation

The host institution will usually arrange accommodation for the visiting student.  In most cases exchange students are guaranteed the equivalent of student housing for which they pay the economic rate.

In some cases, Amsterdam in particular, there are no guarantees that student accommodation will be found.  Students will therefore have to find their own accommodation, but this is not a problem and the University of Amsterdam can give assistance.

For further information on non-EU exchanges contact the International Office.